NORTHRIDGE - 2011 Desiree Karotko ran a lifetime-best 2:17.65 in the 800 meters at the Aztec Invitational ... clocked a career-best 1:01.69 in the 400 meters at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational ... also posted a season-best 5:07.03 in the 1,500 meters at the Tiny Lister Classic ... did not compete during the indoor season.

2010 Karotko qualified for the Big West Championships in the 1,500 meters ... finished 18th in the prelims in a time of 5:45.17 ... posted a career-best time of 2:25.90 in the 800 meters and 1:04.34 in the 400 meters at the Steve Scott Invitational (May 2) ... did not compete during the indoor season.

2009 Competed in the first three meets of the outdoor season before being injured at the Cal-Nevada Championships at UCLA (Mar. 29) ... ran a season-best 2.29.29 in the 800 meters at Cal-Nevada ... also competed in the 400 meters ... did not compete during the indoor season.

2008 Redshirted the 2008 indoor and outdoor seasons for the Matadors.

CARDINGTON-LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL Competed as a middle distance runner at Cardington-Lincoln High School in Cardington, Ohio ... was named Most Valuable Runner as a sophomore (2005) and as a senior (2007) ... also garnered second team all-league honors in 2007 ... also competed for the Pirates volleyball team and was on the cheerleading squad in 2007 ... graduated in 2007 with a 3.50 grade point average.

PERSONAL Born January 9, 1989 in Ohio ... parents are Michelle Fornirico and David Karotko ... has one older brother, Kyle ... favorites include actors Dane Cook and Reese Witherspoon, the TV show "I Love Lucy" and the movie "The Notebook" ... says the best thing about being an athlete is "always being able to do what you love most" ... says she "listens to music off by myself" as a pre-meet ritual ... lists "moving here from Ohio" is the biggest obstacle she's had to overcome ... major is Marine Biology.